Federer unsure of how partnership with Edberg will evolve

When asked whether adding Stefan Edberg to his coaching team means he will have to play a more offensive game, Roger Federer joked, “Like if I don't serve and volley he's going to split up with me?”

The Swiss, who says he will work 10 to 12 weeks with the six-time Grand Slam champion Swede during the 2014 season, including at the Australian Open, said he isn’t sure how their partnership will evolve.

“It's going to be interesting to see what he thinks, if it's possible to play a lot of serve and volley on the slower courts we see all around the world now, or if there are different ways for me to find my way to the net,” Federer said. “I've tried many things. We can debate, and Severin Luthi, my [main] coach about ways to come to the net or not. Clearly it's important to take time way from your opponent, to dictate play as well as much as you can.

“Also, you have to be able to not miss too much and physically stay in the rally and mentally as well. So it's a combination of many things now against the good players we know at the top. So it's going to interesting to see what he has to say. I have some idea, but then am I able to make that happen in a match yet? I don't know.”